This video is about pressing with purpose.

A good press is not just about working hard or covering ground.

It's about taking away time and narrowing options.

When outside center backs receive the ball, they often have the best angle to play channel balls behind the defensive line. If they have time, they can lift their head, assess the picture, and pick out those passes.

The key is recognizing the trigger early.

As the ball travels to the outside center back, the press should already be moving.

Use the time the ball is traveling to arrive on the far shoulder and make the field smaller.

The goal is not always to win the ball immediately.

The goal is to make the next action more difficult.

A smaller field means fewer options.

Fewer options means more predictable play.

And more predictable play makes the next phase easier for your team to win.

Recognize the trigger.

Press the far shoulder.

Make the field smaller.

Control the next phase.